What planet are they on?

Last updated at 08:40 31 October 2006

Let us suppose that Sir Nicholas Stern might - just might - be right when he warns that unchecked global warming could lead to war, famine, pestilence, flooding and the most catastrophic economic meltdown since the 1930s.

One thing is abundantly clear about his apocalyptic vision: Britain on its own can do precious little about it.

This country produces a mere two per cent of the world's greenhouse gases - about the same tonnage as the annual increase in emissions from China alone. So even if we shut down our output completely, world emissions would be back at current levels within a year.

So much for Environment Secretary David Miliband's talk of new laws to cut the UK's emissions by 60 per cent over the next 44 years. Not only would that scarcely affect world pollution levels; by 2050, if the doomsayers are right - and that is a mighty big 'if' - the catastrophe will already be well and truly upon us.

But never fear - Superman is here, in the shape of our posturing Prime Minister. Anyone listening to him yesterday would think he could save the world single-handedly.

Launching a 700-page analysis by Sir Nicholas, Tony Blair declares that the planet is 'on the edge of calamity'. But the report also offers grounds for hope, he says. 'It gives us the clearest evidence yet that bold and decisive action can still prevent it.'

Oh yes? Does he really believe developing nations will obey when he tells them: 'Sorry, guys. For the sake of the planet - and my personal legacy - you must abandon your quest for growth'?

Even our self-deluding Prime Minister must realise how powerless he is. Why, then, is he so anxious to talk up the threat of a 'calamity' - egged on by the BBC whose wildly over-the-top coverage suggested the human race is virtually on the brink of extinction already?

Isn't the truth that the Government sees in global warming a heaven-sent opportunity to squeeze yet more money out of hard-pressed Middle Britain, while pretending it is all for the good of the planet?

True, climate change is a threat that should be taken seriously. But nobody should be fooled into believing that yet more stealth taxes on British motorists, holidaymakers and householders will make a ha'p'orth of difference.

A bloody disaster

In Iraq, another day of bloodshed leaves at least 80 dead, while the Foreign Office evacuates most its staff from our consulate in Basra - further proof, if any were needed, that the country has descended into ungovernable anarchy.

Meanwhile at Westminster, the Government faces possible defeat today as David Cameron insists on an inquiry into the war.

His demand may have a whiff of political manoeuvring about it. It sounds like an attempt to distance his party from the war without actually opposing it.

But an inquiry is certainly needed - and not just another whitewash like the Hutton Report into the suicide of Dr David Kelly, or an exercise like the Saville Inquiry into Bloody Sunday, still dragging on nearly nine years after it was announced.

Urgent questions need to be answered about the invasion: How was the country led into war on the basis of a lie? What advice did the Government receive from the military before the invasion? Why were there no plans for rebuilding Iraq after the defeat of Saddam Hussein?

But isn't there one question, above all, to which the public has the right to hear answers? What can be done to make sure that such an unmitigated and bloody disaster never happens again?